Electronic window



May 26, 1959 c. A. JOHNSON 2,888,069

' ELECTRONIC WINDOW Filed Nov. :50, 1955 a Sheets-Sheet 1 I 1 a? 68/1.29 a

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' ELECTRONJIC wmnow I Filed NOV. 30, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

United States Patent ELECTRONIC WINDOW Chester A. Johnson, Merrick, N.Y.

Application November 30, 1955, Serial No. 550,026

3 Claims. (Cl. 160-11) This invention relates to windows for both.domestic and commercial use and particularly windows in which operatingparts thereof are adapted to be actuated by a flashof light, such aslightning or the flash of an atomic bomb for automatically closing awindow; and in particular a circular sash rotatably mounted in aconventional window opening with a glass panel positioned on one side ofthe center of the circular sash and a blast screen in the other side orwith the sash divided into sections of 120 degrees with a glass panel inone section, a blast shield in another section and a wire screen in thethird section whereby with the window sash installed in a window frameand operated by a motor through electrical controls the motor may beactuated by a button to bring the desired portion of the circular sashin registering relation with openings through the window frame andwhereas a sudden flash of light influences responsive elements of thewindow to actuate the motor to bring a blast shield or the like inposition to completely close the window opening.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatically operatedwindow in which the wear resulting from raising and lowering the sash iseliminated and in which the window is adapted to operate indefinitely.

Various types of motor controls have been provided for operatingsash ofdouble hung and casement windows,

however, due to the necessity of sealing edges of windows and thedifliculties encountered in endeavoring to seal areas between slidingelements it has been difficult to provide a completely power actuatedwindow in which the window is sealed and in which continued operation ofthe window or sash thereof is assured.

With this thought in mind this invention contemplates mounting thewindow elements in a wheel and rotatably mounting the wheel in a windowframe with all parts of the window opening sealed except an areapositioned to register with a section of the wheel, and with means :forrotating the wheel with the rotating means provided with manual andautomatic controls.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an improvedelectrically operated Window in which an opening through the window maybe closed with glass, a wire screen, or a blast shield, or the like bypressing a button to complete a circuit to a motor or other operatingmeans.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotatable window sashthat provides a window opening of maximum size.

Another important object of the invention is to .provide an electricallyoperated window that is adapted to be installed in window frames now inuse.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety window in whichthe window is adapted to be actuated by a flash of light, such as ofan-atom bomb to seal the window with a blastproof screen or shield.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedelectrically operated window in which the window is of a relativelysimple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the inventionembodies a wheel rotatably mounted in a window opening in which thewheel is provided with segments for sealing the window opening, or forpositioning a glass panel in the window opening, 'or'in which a wirescreen may also be positioned in the window opening, and suitablecontrols for operating the window so that the window may beautomatically actuated by a blast of light or operated by a switchbutton or controls positioned at remote points.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the improved electronic windowlooking toward the inside ,of the window frame.

Figure 2 is a longitudinalsection through the window frame showing thewheel forming a window sash with a motor for rotating the wheel and alsoshowing one of the cleaning rollers for cleaning the surfaces of thewheel or sash. v

Figure 3 is a front elevational view looking ,toward the outside of thewindow.

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the improved window taken on line4-4 of Fig. 11 with the parts shown on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a cross section through a portionof the window also with theparts shown on an enlarged scale showing the mounting and operatingelements of the motor by which the wheel forming the window sash isrotated.

Figure 6 is a cross section through a portion of the window illustratinga solenoid actuated lock for locking the wheel forming the sash withglass, wire screen or a blast shield positioned in registering relationwith the window opening.

Figure 7 is a cross section through the hub of the wheel, saidsectionbeing taken through :the portion of the wheel in which glass panels arepositioned, the parts .being shown-on an enlarged scale andparts' beingbroken away.

Figure 8 is a section similar to thatshown in Fig. 7, the section beingtaken through the portion of the wheel in which the blast shield ispositioned, parts of the wheel also being broken away. 7

Figure 9 is a section also similar to that shown in Fig. 7, the sectionbeing taken through the portion of the wheel in which the wire screen ispositioned.

Figure 10 is a cross section through one .side of the wheel of thewindow illustrating the arrangement, mounting, and operating means ofcleaning brushes, the parts also being shown on an enlarged scale andparts being broken away.

Figure 11 is an elevationalview of the brush operating elements beingtaken on line 1l'11'of,Fi g. 10'.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic View illustrating a typical wiring circuitfor supplying current to the motor showing a button actuated switch andalso a flash responsive element for closing the circuit to the motor.

Figure 13 is a longitudinal section through the wheel forming the sash,similar to that shown in Fig. 2 illustrating a modification wherein thewheel is divided into two sections with a glass panel in one section anda blast or atomic shield in the other. I

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denotecorresponding parts the improved rotary window sash of this inventionincludes 'a wheel having a hub 10, a rim 11 with transversely disposedcorrugations or teeth .12 on the peripheral surface, a pinion 13 havingteeth meshing with the teeth 12 of the wheel, a motor 14 operativelyconnected to the pinion 13 with a beveled pinion 15 positioned on ashaft 16 extended from the motor and a beveled gear 17 on a shaft 18 onwhich the pinion 13 is mounted, a locking pin 19 adapted to bepositioned in openings 26 of the rim 11 of the Wheel, cleaning brushes21 and 22 rotated by the teeth 12 on the perimeter of the wheel througha pinion 23 held by an idler gear 24-, beveled gears 25 and 26 on ashaft 27 and beveled pinions 28 and 29 meshing with the gears 25 and 2s,respectively and connected to cores 3t) and 31 of the brushes and, inthe design illustrated in Fig. 2 the Wheel is provided with arms 32, 33,and 34 dividing the wheel or sash into segmental openings 35, 36 and 37.

The hub 10 of the wheel is rotatably mounted by roller bearings 37 on aflanged bushing 38 positioned on a shaft 39 and, as illustrated in Fig.4 one end of the shaft is secured in a bearing 40 secured by a bolt 417.in a rear wall 42 of a housing and the opposite end is secured in abearing 43 of a rail 44 extended across the intermediate part of thehousing. The extended end of the shaft is also positioned in an openingin the lower edge of a front panel 46 providing a closure for the upperpart of the housing and in which an opening 47, adapted to register withone of the segmental openings of the wheel, is provided. A spacingelement 48 is also provided on the shaft 39 being positioned between thehearing 40 and a plate 49 on one end of the hub 10. A similar plate, asindicated by the numeral 50, is provided on the opposite end of the hub.The rear wall 42 of the housing is also provided with an opening 50 thatis positioned in registering relation with the opening 47 in theopposite side.

In the design shown the housing is secured in an opening 51 of a wall 52with fastening elements such as the screws 53 and the wall may heprovided with an outer facing 54 to which the housing is secured withbolts 55 and an inner facing 56.

The inner portion of the housing is also provided with doors 57 and 58that are secured in the housing with hinges 59 and 6%, respectively andthe doors are provided with knobs 61 by which the doors are adapted tohe opened to provide access to the cleaning rollers 21 and 22 and alsoto the Wheel and other mounting elements thereof.

In the design shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 the upper segment 35' of thewheel is provided with glass panels 62 and 63 which, as illustrated inFig. 7, are mounted in grooves 64 and 65 of a channel-shaped member 66,the member 65 having a center rib 67 that is Positioned between thepanels. The member 65 extends on the inner surface of the rim 11 andalso on the sides of the arms 32 and 33, and the grooves and also therib 6"] extend into the hub also as shown in Fig. 7.

In the section of the wheel in which the opening 37 is positioned ablast shield 68 is mounted, the inner edge of the shield beingpositioned in a groove 6% and the outer edge, which is provided with anenlarged section 70 is positioned in a groove '71 in the rim 11.

In the section shown in Fig. 9 the wire mesh screen or panel 72 which ispositioned in the opening 36 of the wheel is mounted in a frame havingan inner section 73 positioned in a groove 7 of the hub 10 and an outersection 75 positioned in a groove 76 of the rim 11, the groove 76 alsoextending in the inner surfaces of the arms 32 and 34.

In the section shown in Fig. 6 the blast shield 77, mounted in achannel-shaped frame 78 is positioned in the groove 79 of a rim 80similar to the rim i1 and in this section an opening 2% for the lockingpin 19 is shown. The locking pin 19, which is adapted to extend throughthe inner wall 46 is mounted in a housing 81 and resiliently urgedinwardly by a spring 82 positioned against the inner end of the housingand also against a collar 83 mounted on the pin. The pin is 4 adapted tobe withdrawn by energizing electro magnetic elements 84 and 85 which areconnected in the circuit of the device by Wires 86 and 37.

The contact 84 extends through a slot 88 in the housing 81 and the innerend of the contact is secured to the pin 19 by brazing, welding, or thelike. The housing 8?. is secured to the wall 46 with fastening elementssuch as the screws 89.

The cores 3d and 31 of the cleaning brushes 21 and 22 are mounted onrods 91? and 91, the inner ends of which are secured in openings 92 and93 of the discs 42 and 5t} and the outer ends on the shaft 27 upon whichthe pinions 23 and beveled gears 25 and 25 are mounted. The shaft 27 isrotatab-ly mounted in arms 94' and 95 of a bracket having a base $6 andthe base 96 is secured to a side Wall 97 by screws (or the like asindicated by the numeral 98. The idler 24- is mounted on a shaft 99, theends of which are also mounted in the arms 94 and 95 of the bracket.

By this means the cleaning rushes are mounted in the housing with theinner ends rotated by the shaft 39 at the center of the wheel orcircular sash and as the panels, and particularly the glass panels passbetween the brushes as illustrated in Fig. 10, the panels are cleanedmaking it possible to clean a window by starting the motor 14- androtating the wheel or sash so that the panel or section to be cleanedpasses through the brushes.

With the parts designed and assembled as illustrated and described acircuit may be completed to the motor 14 with the motor connected by awire lltit) to an electric light cord plug 101 and with the oppositeside of the circuit completed by a Wire 1492 through contacts 103 and104 of a switch to the opposite side of the plug, the wire 102 beingconnected to the contacts 84 and 85 and from the contact 85 to thecontact 194 with a wire 1% and from the opposite contact of the switchto the plug 101 by a wire 106. The switch is also provided with acontact 197 that completes a circuit back to the motor.

The circuit is also provided with an element, such as a selenium cell orphotoelectric tube 168 which is connected by a wire 169 to the Wire 1%and by a wire to the wire 135. With the circuits connected in thismanner a flash of light influencing the elements 1% draws the contacts84 and $5 together, withdrawing the blocking pin 19 whereby the motor 14is actuated to move the protecting shield 68 across the opening and withthe arm of the switch actuated to connect the terminals 103 and 104 acircuit may also be completed to the motor with the circuit withdrawingthe pin 19 to permit rotation of the Wheel. Also with the arm Mil of theswitch positioned to engage the contact 107 a circuit may be completeddirectly to the motor to rotate the wheel to position either the glassor screen over the opening or between the openings 47 and 50.

In the design illustrated in Fig. 13 the circular sash or wheel 112,which is provided with a hub 113 includes a rim 114 having teeth 115 onthe outer surface and arms 116 and 117 which connect the rim to the hub.By this means the Wheel is divided into two sections providing segments118 and 119, the segment 118 being provided with glass panels 124) andthe segment 119 being provided with a shield 121 of heavy material,suitable for withstanding a blast such as an explosion of an atomic bombor the like.

The Wheel or sash of this design is positioned in a housing having abase 122, and walls 123 and 124 and an upper panel 125. The wheel ismounted between front and rear panels and cleaning brushes 126, similarto the brushes 2 and 22 extend between the gear assembly 127 on thebracket 128 and the hub 1 13 of the Wheel, the brushes being mounted onrods A29, similar to the rods 99 and 91.

it will be understood, therefore, that the circular sash or wheel may beprovided with two, three, or any suitable number of segments whereby theopenings through the window frame may be sealed with a panel of solidmaterial, such as indicated by the numeral 68 in Fig. 8 or with glass asindicated by the panels 62 and 63, or with a wire screen such as thescreen 72.

The wheel may also be rotated by pressing a button to clean the glass orother material and with the button or switch 111 located in a controlroom or tower windows of a "building may be opened, sealed, or cleanedas may be desired- The motor 14 may be replaced by other power means andthe brushes 21 and 22 may be replaced with cleaning elements ofdifferent types and designs. It will also be understood that a lock ofany other type or design may be provided and other means may be used forapplying and withdrawing the lock.

The rim of the wheel and also the pinions having the rounded teeth maybe made of plastic, such as rubber, or other suitable material.

It will be understood that other modifications, within the scope of theappended claims, may be made in the design and arrangement of the partswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a circular window, the combination which comprises arectangular-shaped window housing having a base, end walls, an upperpanel, a rear wall, a hunt panel and a horizontally disposed rail at thelower edge of the front panel, a shaft mounted on the rear Wall at theback of the window and on the horizontally disposed rail at the front, awheel having a hub through which the shaft extends, a rim supported fromthe hub by a web, the web having segmental openings therethrough, atransparent panel in one of the segmental openings of the wheel, andmeans for rotating the wheel.

2. In a circular window, the combination which comprises arectangular-shaped window housing having a base, end walls, a rear wall,an upper panel providing a cover, an upper panel providing a front walland a horizontal disposed rail at the lower edge of the upper panel atthe front, a shaft mounted on the rear wall at the back of the windowhousing and on the horizontally disposed rail at the front, a wheelhaving a hub through which the shaft extends and a rim supported fromthe hub by a web and said web having segmental openings therethrough, atransparent panel in one of the segmental openings of the wheel, ascreen in one of the segmental openings of the wheel, a continuous gearrack on the peripheral surface of the rim of the wheel providing a gear,a pinion rotatably mounted in the housing and positioned in meshingrelation with the gear, a motor and means operatively connecting themotor to the pinion.

3. In a circular window, the combination which comprises arectangular-shaped window housing having a base, end walls, a rear wall,an upper panel providing a cover, an upper panel providing a front walland a horizontal disposed rail at the lower edge of the upper panel atthe front, a shaft mounted on the rear wall at the back of the windowhousing and on the horizontally disposed rail at the front, a Wheelhaving a hub through which the shaft extends and a rim supported fromthe hub by a web and said web having segmental openings therethrough, atransparent panel in one of the segmental openings of the wheel, ascreen in one of the segmental openings of the wheel, a continuous gearrack on the peripheral surface ofthe rim of the wheel providing a gear,a pinion rotatably mounted in the housing and positioned in meshingrelation with the gear, a motor, means operatively connecting the motorto the pinion, roller bearings in the hub of the wheel rotatablymounting the wheel on the shaft, wipers mounted at the sides of thewheel for cleaning parts thereof as the wheel is rotated, and latchingmeans for locking the wheel in adjusted positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,111,009 Smith Mar. 15, 1938 2,197,074 Edwards Apr. 16, 1940 2,371,430De Patto Mar. 13, 1945 2,704,207 Howard Mar. 15, 1955

